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Jack Burger, who guided the Troy High football program in two seperate stints, will not return to the sidelines in 2014 for his 20th season as head coach.

Burger retired as a teacher in June after 33 years at the school. He hoped to have a part-time position at the school so he could continue to coach, but it did not materialize. Burger guided the Flying Horses to seven Section II titles, nine Super Bowl appearances, five trips to the Syracuse Carrier Dome for state title game and two state championships in 1996 (Class A) and 1998 (Class AA).

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49 Comments

It’s an absolute disgrace how the administration at Troy handled this situation. The man still wanted to coach and they couldn’t do what they needed to keep him there. Rumor has it that the whole staff is gone. To bad he didn’t hoop because I bet they would have done whatever was needed then.

Troy can’t give their legendary coach a part time gig so he can still coach? Coach Burger is a tremendous football coach and he has done great things for Troy and Section 2. Hats off to the legendary Coach Jack Burger.

It’s an extremely sad day at Troy High today. I have three boys going through the Troy Football program, and Jack Burger not only was a great coach, he was class act. He taught my boys the meaning of character and integrity. Tonight there is a void in the Troy football community. Jack, thanks for all the great memories….

This is very suprising since coach Burger has done so much for this program and with this program. I played against his team and followed them after I had graduated but it wasn’t until he coached my Senior Bowl team that I was able to practice with him for 2 weeks and realize just how good of a coach he was. Hats off to you Coach Burger for an outstanding career and shame on whoever it was up to for allowing this to happen!

Coach Burger & coaches you will be missed. It is truly a dark day in the Troy High Football Community. The entire staff will not be returning next season. The staff have been coaching together for the past 20yrs. You can’t simply replace that. How do you let that go Troy High AD? A simple PT position… that’s all it took. If you could get your hoop coach’s head out of your backside you would see how wrong this is. But I forgot who I’m talking about, you don’t know talent if it smacked you in the face Mr AD…hmmm

It is a shame that they really couldn’t find a part time job for this guy. Like where is the loyalty? I had him as a teacher when he took time off from coaching and he was a great teacher and mentor. He was there for every kid for any issue. I mean you guys gave hurley a job as a principle assistant? Like really what a joke.. What does a principle assistant even do? He only came because he seen the jars in the cupboard with the talent. Burger took troy guys and made them into great players and people. Its a shame to see where this is going because I was there when carmello and them guys took over and I thought for sure they were going to be loyal and bring troy in the right direction. Thank you Coach burger for the young boys you made into men. Thank you

So unfortunate but if he taught for 33 years and retired but was looking for a part-time job in the district he would then be come the highest paid person in the district. So finance most likely was the deciding factor.

why, why, why,would the troy administration promise a man of a job for over 2 years..and then pull it away,lies are easy for the men of colonie ….you do what you want and hurt who you want,including the people that pay your salary…the people of troy…we were here along time,we didn’t need your colonie transfers,we need good people we don’t need any more than just plain good loyalty

WOW!! A sad day is an understatement. Jack Burger is Troy High if you ask me my opinion. Hat’s off to a man who took over in 1990 and made it a PROGRAM!! As alumni past and present we all know the truth of the politics that go on but this one is a bad one. Coach is the best football teacher and class act man that anyone would love learn from and to play for.He loves the game, loves his players and loves Troy High no matter what!! We wouldn’t be the men we are today with out Coach and his staff. On behalf of the 1993 Superbowl team we wish you luck in the future to you and your family and hope you can continue to rub off the love and knowledge of the game to young boys who you turn into not only champions but MEN!! Troy High Football is about family and we just lost the biggest family member!! Good Luck Coach #79 Meat.

Should fire athletic director immediately. A coach who has has 75% winning percentage, brings class to. The Troy football program and has done everything instill the best behavior in the players on and off field and u let him go. Totally blame the AD in not finding a way to get the troy administration to pony up a few dollars to help supplement retirement. All the other sport coaches at troy…take note…this. Is how u will be treated at the end. Jack – wish you the best and hope you find a school organization somewhere else which appreciates what u bring to a football program.

The Troy High administration should be ashamed of themselves. A state champion coach, multiple Section 2 title winner and a great man deserve to go out on their own accord. Seriously couldn’t make him a hall monitor or some other BS job so he could continue coach. Very shameful not to retain Coach Burger for a 20th season. Fire the Troy High AD and bring back Coach Burger!

It is unfortunate that everything being said here is true. NYS is so far behind in it’s athletics to know and understand that keeping coaches who run a strong quality program based on core values are invaluable to the district. The truth is that the new administration is probally intimadated by the amount of loyal people to Coach Burger in the district and in the City of Troy. He has been there longer then most employees and has had the most positive impact on the largest number of students who attend that school. Knowing how a certain coach was brought into the district and a position was created a few years ago for this individual and nothing could be done after it was promised to a long term employee who had such a positive impact on it’s students couldnt even be retained with a part time position, and for those who then think he would have been the highest paid part time employee are WRONG. If he was a retired NYS Teacher there is a cap to how much his income from a state employer could be. Coach Burger is truley 1 of the few outstanding coaches in NYS and wherever he lands will get the greatest addition to their program, along with the entire Varsity Coaching Staff. Troy be careful with who you choose to replace and take over this program.

Rumors are rampant that there is going to be a revolt about the mess at Troy. Heard strong rumors that Troy’s Football Program are about to loose at Least 5-7 football players to transfers. If that comes to fruition, which I’m being told is true. This program will end up being what it used to be without Burger. Watch out!! I heard that at least 4 of them are starters. Not good Troy…. Maybe its time to bring back Jack before it is too late…….

1. The man still wanted to coach at Troy
2. The man asked foe a part time job in the district.
3. The man has worked in the district for 33 years.
4. The man is arguably the most successful coach in the history of this area.
5. The man is one of the most highly respected people involved in education and coaching in this area.

And you could find him some part time job in the district to keep him involved in molding the student-athletes in the city of Troy?

Shame on anyone in the Troy School district who calls themselves an administrator.

AS A FORMER STUDENT,AND PLAYER,ITS A VERY SAD WEEK..JACK BURGER WAS MY TEACHER AND COACH AT TROY HIGH,FIRST CLASS WITH WINNING RECORD AT TROY HIGH 1984/1985 LOOK IT UP….HE STARTED SOMETHING SPECIAL AND HE BUILD IT EVERY YEAR STRONGER AND BETTER THAN ANYONE..IVE COACHED HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL FOR 22 YEARS,BECAUSE OF 1 MAN BURGER..WE HAVE BECOME VERY GOOD FRIENDS OVER ALL THESE YEARS,HE COACHED MY NEPHEWS TEAMS FOR 3 YEARS ALL WENT TO THE CARRIER DOME,2 TITLES IN 3 YEARS MR AD…….YOU SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF WHAT YOU HAVE DONE AND YOU HAVE BECOME.WHEN I TOLD MY MOTHER WHO IS 83 YEARS OLD AND STILL TILL THIS DAY ATTENDS GAMES WHAT HAPPENED,SHE COULD NOT BELIEVE THIS BECAUSE THE TROY FAMILY WAS NOTHING WITHOUT JACK BURGER,HE TAUGHT US ALL SO MUCH…HE WILL BE FINE AND MOST OF ALL HE WILL BE BACK…..ITS SO FUNNY AFTER HIS FIRST RETIREMENT,THIS NEW AD AT THE TIME,HIRED JACK BURGER BACK TO TURN THE PROGRAM AROUND.HE WAS PROMISED A JOB FROM TOP TO BOTTOM,NO WOORIES JACK HE WAS TOLD…YOU SHOULD ALL BE ASHAMED UP THERE IN THE FUN ROOM AT TROY HIGH SCHOOL……

It’s a shame that Coach Burger’s tenure at Troy comes to an end this way. Being a winning program is one thing, but Burger was able to do so in a class that has 5 coaches that either are (Burger and Grasso), or should be in future classes (Shell, Irion and Liverio) of the Capital District Football Hall of Fame.

Coach Burger’s accomplishments both on and off the field should have been enough for the Troy High School administration to try their hardest to give him a part time position, even if it was Study Hall monitor or whatever.

But it didn’t come into fruition, and if Burger moves on to coach somewhere else, good for him. If he ends up hanging up his hat, then best wishes to him in retirement.

While we are taking about coaches-What happened to my baseball coach? I played in the late 1990′s and he vanished from Troy only to be found coaching in Valatie for three years. it appears he wasn’t finished coaching-and the “old man” won a Sectional championship down there. I was a Troy boy and we played with Troy intensity. If he was overlooked for a “buddy”-that’s just wrong. My coach was a true Troy resident teacher and coach. Good memories …..

Great reminder from Old School. This has been happening for to long. A change in administration has to be made!!!! Great teacher, the best baseball coach at Troy High of all time who I’m proud to say I played for as well. They ran Coach Brady outta town the same way! Then they brought coach Curtis in there to be the future and they ran him outta town to!! Like I said real sad. No loyalty!!! This isn’t Troy kids playing high school sports anymore its a business!!! Sad,sad,sad. We have to say it like it really is. This administration were past good/ great athletes in our section who didn’t have the luxury to play for great coaches/ men like we did at The program Troy High School. A lot is going to really rise above from this unfortunate situation. Again Hats off to Coach Burger and his staff as well as Coach Brady who is still teaching and winning. Best of luck in the future Coach Burger you have a ton of support. Thanks J Potenza and thanks for posting your name!! Need more past and present alumni to post there names instead of nick names.We all need to be herd. If its true kids are leaving to go and play for our cross town rivals Lasalle/Burgh or even CBA it’s even more SICK!!! Better yet disgraceful!!! They make up these gaff positions for other coaches. Coach Burger should of been the AD or assistant AD or better yet still the Coach. Not the way for a legacy to end!!!! It will be 20 years this football season since our Super Bowl victory!! #79 Meat out!!

Coach Burger and his staff’s careers should not end this way. I know Jack doen’t like these posts but the truth has to be said. The AD should go. PERIOD!!! It all started with the hiring of hoop coach and his escapades. The letting go of the baseball coach, a successful and mentoring coach as well. Trying to hire his own brother as the new baseball coach. Giving the position, promised to Coach Burger, to the hoop coach who doesn’t care about anyone but himself and his record. And now this…disgusting. The school district should do something about this but its too late for Coach Burger. Jack Burger, the ultimate professional, Hall of Fame football coach, outstanding teacher, mentor to hundreds of young men, and all-around class act over 33+ years at Troy High, you will be missed in so many ways and Thank You for EVERYTHING.

My major concern with this situation is how the JV coach gets the job. Did the other varsity assistants walk with Coach Burger? If not how didn’t one of them get the job? They have all been coaching for a long time and they do a tremendous job. My son was really looking forward to being coached by them. Can someone provide so insight into this?

Myself who is a former Troy parent also thinks its a disgrace. Where is the Troy school board. We have so many kids playing at Troy that don’t belong there. We have them saying they are paying tuition. Look it up they are not. They are using grandparents and relatives addresses that live in the school district. We are paying through school taxes for kids to play at Troy high. That ARE NOT IN OUR DISTRICT !!!! This is all from the AD and Superientenant. There should be a” huge” investigation. Wake up Troy tax payers, they are going to Troy on our dime. They all are INVOLVED.. Winning at all cost!! Burger won the right way with Troy tough kids. We are winning the wrong way. What are we teaching our kids. TIMES UNION please investigate. James Allen help us. This is not right. We are not a private school…… Please Print This… Girls Basketball, Girls softball and the biggest offender Troy Basketball…

Troy Community lets stand up for our School. Lets get rid of the AD and HIS CRONNIES WHO ARE RUNNING OUR SCHOOL LIKE its A PRIVATE SCHOOL. THIS IS A JOKE !! WHERE IS THE SCHOOL BOARD!!! LETS GET TROY SPOTS BACK TO TROY KIDS PLAYING. I HEAR ALL THE TALK ABOUT ALL THE ILLEGAL PLAYERS PLAYING AHEAD OF YOU KIDS. TROY WAS JUST FINE WITHOUT THEM. KUDOS TO THE WATERVLIET DISTRICT WHEN THEY INVESTIGATED AND TOOK LOSSES LAST YEAR AND GOT RID OF THE ILLEGAL PLAYER. TROY WHAT ARE we TEACHING OUR KIDS..WHERE IS THERE INTEGRITY!!!! THEY ARE ALL PARENTS. WHAT Are we teaching kids cheat at all cost as long as you WIN!!!!

I was so saddened to hear of the shameful way Coach Jack Berger has been treated by the Troy HS administration. Jack is an outstanding educator, mentor, teacher, coach and man. He cares deeply about the young men he’s coached and it’s always been more than just a job for him. It’s been a calling. In a time when young men most need the type of support and ethical guidance that Jack Berger has provided over the years, Troy should be ashamed for letting him go. Our family’s best wishes and sincere thanks go out to Coach Berger for all he has done to turn youth into upstanding young men. I know that something could be done to right this wrong. I wonder if the administration has the guts to admit the mistake and make it right.

this is a terrible thing that has happened. I wonder who will get the head coaching job that he is gone. I hear there are some possible hvcc assistants that would be great candidates for the head job. wonder what will happen, will be interesting to see who takes over.

How about someone actually track each “transfer” into the Troy High School District to be sure they are actually residents or have proof that the school taxes are being paid when the board approves for them to attend Troy High??????

As someone mentioned Watervliet actually investigated the report of the hoops player last year and took action when confirmed….. Has any other school done that??? NO

Why doesn’t the Times Union investigate this claim? Has anyone filed a formal complaint with Section 2???
Something to seriously look into – because in the end who does all this effect??

I’ve been following this story but cannot figure out the background. Why would they do this? Did admin try to get him pt position but it didn’t work out? There are hints but no one is being specific. I heard the JV coach is taking over. Anyone have further insight?

This AD is doing things his way. No rules! Thinking there are no consequences for his actions. We pay this joker with our tax money. The Troy board should act on this right now. We from Troy voted them in. We are the laughing stock of the capital district. This guy makes up all the rules and feels their are no consequences. He’s the one who allows all the illegal stuff to continue. Investigate. Get rid of the bad apples. Get Troy kids back at Troy honored to represent their school. Get rid of this garbage can and his gang!!!

That’s the big question-did they choose it, or was decision made for them? I read conflicting info. I do see evidence of what some people have claimed here, though. I know there are certain Troy kids that should be getting a fair shot on some of the teams regarding playing time, who are not. Very questionable.

It is too bad that Coach Burger and his staff can’t finish on their terms after all the years of growing and developing young men. Because of a lot of talk in the community about the issue I decided to go and see the basketball game last night to see for myself about some of the things I have heard. I have watched a lot of the Troy football teams over the years and have always taken a level of pride in how Coach and his staff communicate with their players, each other and officials. I am shocked that Troy’s administration has decided to align itself with the things I saw on display last night.
The Troy coach last night could be heard from the second level bashing his own players, degrading his opponents, threatening to “fire everybody” with a scream and a dismissive wave of the hand at his staff and screaming at the officials. I had to see for myself, I have coached a lot of youth league sports, played college football and baseball, and while I don’t pretend to be as knowledgeable as any coach, I know the difference between mutual respect on a team and not. His half-time speech must have ran long and tough because the team nearly missed the start of the second half and he could be heard screaming from the hallway by people who walked down to the concession stand. This is the coach Troy wants now instead of what has worked AND WON while building good young men for decades.
Coach Burger would never scream that he would fire his staff during a game in anger at them. He also would not publicly degrade his kids or opponents.
On the other hand, the Bishop Maginn coach (who I realized last night when I saw him that he lives in Troy-I saw him coach tball at Spring and my nephew goes to a clinic at Sacred Heart for K-2 kids…He does a great job with kids. I didn’t realize he coached somewhere until I saw him last night) coached a highly competitive game (final score does not show how close this game was) and had his players executing a sound plan to win-they just aren’t as good. I watched him pull a player aside to discipline him and do so in a manner that didn’t disrespect the kid but clearly made him aware he was wrong after a technical foul. He didn’t berate his assistants or officials and I thought he handled his team and the game with class.
After seeing these things myself and hearing all the things I have in the community about the new attitude of winning at all costs and using kids who aren’t Troy kids. I can personally say as a youth league coach in multiple sports that some of these kids never came up through Troy youth leagues. I can remember many of the football players coming up through the years, but some of the kids I see now I don’t know.
I can’t speak to what the exact situation is regarding Coach Burger, I am not in the know on that, but I can say that it looks like Troy is in a culture change, where developing kids into young men is being traded for a win at all costs, bend/break rules attitude.
I hope that parents and community members can find a way to express these concerns to people that can make decisions. However, given the concerns and the culture in the athletic department now, I fear it may take something drastic and embarrassing happening that makes everyone look bad for there to be a change.
People like coach Burger and his staff will be fine, I am sure they all can go coach somewhere and have valuable input-perhaps with coaches and administrations that will value that input and attitude. Clearly Troy does not at this point.
Youth league coaches and parents will have to pick up the slack and teach more values and ethics to young players so that they are ready to meet the win at all costs attitudes that await them. The football players and families that have shared with the administration their feelings and memories should encourage others to do the same. Maybe they can find the right cord to strike to make sure that we keep building young men and women in the stories that Coach Burger and his staff have made. Maybe then a comment from the administration can be shared to explain what happened and what Troy athletics will be moving forward so that we know what to expect. Then families can decide what they should do.

@Footballmom…the reasons, I believe, he thought he couldn’t help his kids when they needed him the most…when the problems arise. Many problems can be averted if the coach is aware of it promptly, not 4 hrs after the fact. Coaches have their ways of getting the correct point across and handing out punishment, if needed, to there players. Also, none of the assistant coaches were offered the head coaching position by the AD after Coach Burger retired, usually that’s what happens. Any one of those coaches could have and have been previous head coaches…2 of them are in the coaching HOF. Its a shame. The coaches will be fine. There should be something done about the AD!!!

Troy for Troy. Thanks for being honest with your assessment. I can tell that you were there for Troy to see that Everyhing being said was not all just talk. I hope something is done??Funny though I also was at the game and the AD and superintendent were also on the second level watching and observing. The thing is there at every game and except this childish bullying mentality. Matter of fact the superintendent son is out their playing for him.

As a Section 2 fan and BH Spartan fan, I’ve had a lot of respect for Coach Burger, the coaching staff and his players throughout the years. Coach Shell has said it himself on T.V., the coach he respected most is Jack Burger. The Flying Horses have produced so many great teams, their level of play is matched by few in this area for decades. I always enjoy watching the hard nosed brand of power football coach Burger and his players brought to the table and they always do it with class.
The City of Troy would lose a great asset, football coach and man if they were not to retain him as their head football coach. Especially if he and his staff still want to continue on with the great tradition that is Troy Football. If the salary is the problem, I’m sure the fans would gladly donate to the cause and keep coach Burger for a 20th season.

Very true Football mom2.. The issue is there is no varsity experience. This is not JV . You dont have a clue about Varsity. Totally different game. I get it your JV was undefeated… WE WILL SEE?? BIG TRANSITION? TROY WONT WIN 6 games…. They actually have talent to win the whole thing.
So well see how good these JV coaches are??

Who knows ..maybe AD will get rid of the JV football coaches before this season ….maybe he will bring baseball buddies in to coach the football players. I am proactively avoiding going to future troy games which I had always been loyal to.

It all comes down to greed and money. Schools don’t have luxury of just paying someone to coach. The education what’s important. If he loves it so much, why doesn’t Burger give back to the community and coach for free? Why don’t all his supporters have a fund raiser?

Employees get first dibs on coaching jobs so they almost have to be employed by the school unless no one who is employed wants the job. Also, I doubt this has anything to do with money-coaches do not get paid much at high school level.

First thing ….burger has given back to community for 33 years during the summer months when he was not collecting a paycheck..but running troy football camps. Second…can’t coach unless collecting a paycheck in some capacity from school. Administration can make him a janitor and pay him what he needs if they really wanted. Third…admin had no problem asking for millions from taxpayers for school upgrades. Why do we need to raise more money. Lets not sugar coat…this was a push by AD to bring in a friend.